Maria Gajraj is a Montréal-based organist and Doctoral Candidate at McGill University. Her research focuses on 20th-century Caribbean organ repertoire. She is the co-founder of Sapphonix Collective (https://sapphonixcollective.com/), which promotes women, queer, and racialized classical musicians, and has been featured on CBC Radio. Maria is also the programming director of medieval ensemble COMTESSA (https://comtessa.ca/), in which she plays organetto. 

 

Maria has performed internationally, at venues like Salle Bourgie, Maison Symphonique, and the Orgelpark (Amsterdam) and in series such as Cal Performances (USA) and Bergen Orgelsommer (Norway). A recipient of the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship (2022) and other awards, her doctoral research is funded by the FRQ (Fonds de Recherche du Quebec). 

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Maria's debut album, "exhale.", was released on May 23, 2025, by Peoples Places Records (https://peopleplacesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/exhale). "exhale." is a transformative project that explores the intersection of minimalism and experimentalism within the realm of organ music. The album pushes the boundaries of traditional organ music, with transcriptions of minimalist piano works by women and non-binary composers; a commissioned piece, written in 2024 for the performer; as well as recorded improvisations by the performer on the medieval organetto, with electronics.

 

In her concert programs, Maria is passionate about highlighting women and composers of colour. By creating engaging concert programs, and by featuring the organ in innovative and multidisciplinary contexts, Maria strives to break stereotypes, and to make the organ more accessible to everyone.